Dhanush praises father Kasthuri Raja's role in 'Habebe': 'He lived as Yusuf'
Synopsis
Dhanush took to X to praise his father Kasthuri Raja's acting in 'Habebe', saying the veteran must have 'lived as Yusuf' in a world entirely unfamiliar to him. The heartfelt post, shared after a delay due to shooting commitments, doubles as a rare public tribute from one of Tamil cinema's biggest stars to the man who shaped the industry around him.
Key Takeaways
Dhanush praised his father Kasthuri Raja 's performance in the romantic entertainer 'Habebe' via an X post on Friday, 19 June .
He said his father must have 'fully immersed himself and lived as the character Yusuf ' in a world new to him. 'Habebe' , directed by Meera Kathiravan , released in cinemas on 12 June 2025 .
Kasthuri Raja is a filmmaker, lyricist, and actor who has worked with director Visu on more than 16 films .
Dhanush will next be seen in 'Om' , directed by Rajkumar Periasamy , alongside Mammootty .
Actor Dhanush has expressed pride in his father Kasthuri Raja's performance in the romantic entertainer 'Habebe', saying the veteran filmmaker-turned-actor must have fully immersed himself in the character of Yusuf. Dhanush shared his reaction on his official X handle on Friday, 19 June, noting that he had only managed to watch the film after a delay due to continuous shooting commitments.
Dhanush's Reaction to the Film
In his post, Dhanush wrote: 'Due to continuous shooting, I was only able to watch the movie *Habebe* today, albeit belatedly. I feel proud thinking of my father, who must have fully immersed himself and lived as the character "Yusuf" in an entirely new world he had never known before.'
He also noted that the film's setting placed his father in unfamiliar territory, making the performance all the more remarkable. Dhanush went on to congratulate the film's director and crew, writing: 'Congratulations to director Meera Kathiravan and the entire film crew for delivering outstanding performances from my father as well as all the other actors, along with providing an exceptional cinematic experience.'
About 'Habebe' and Its Team
'Habebe', directed by Meera Kathiravan, released in cinemas on 12 June 2025. The story was written by V. S. Mohamed Ameen. The film's core cast includes Esha M, Kasthuri Raja, and Malavika Manoj. On the technical side, music has been composed by Sam C. S., cinematography is handled by Mahesh Muthuswami, and editing is by Mathi VS.
The film chronicles the journey of a young couple whose relationship ends up creating divisions within their community — a narrative set in a world that was reportedly new to Kasthuri Raja himself.
Who Is Kasthuri Raja?
Kasthuri Raja is a multi-hyphenate talent in Tamil cinema — a filmmaker, lyricist, and actor who has collaborated with director Visu on more than 16 films. His appearance in 'Habebe' marks a notable acting outing in a genre and setting distinct from his usual body of work.
What's Next for Dhanush
Dhanush is set to star in director Rajkumar Periasamy's upcoming film 'Om', where he will share the screen with Malayalam superstar Mammootty. The project is among the most anticipated Tamil-Malayalam collaborations in the pipeline.
Point of View
Unguarded moment from an actor who seldom speaks publicly about family. That he chose X — and not a press release — to share this says something about authenticity in an era of managed celebrity personas. More interestingly, Kasthuri Raja stepping into a romantic drama set in an unfamiliar cultural world is itself a story: a veteran of over 16 Visu collaborations reinventing himself at this stage of his career. Whether 'Habebe' translates that personal stretch into box-office returns is the question Tamil cinema will be watching.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Dhanush say about his father Kasthuri Raja in 'Habebe'?
Dhanush said his father must have 'fully immersed himself and lived as the character Yusuf' in a world entirely new to him. He shared this reaction on his official X handle on Friday, 19 June, after watching the film belatedly due to continuous shooting.
What is the film 'Habebe' about?
'Habebe' is a romantic entertainer directed by Meera Kathiravan, with story by V. S. Mohamed Ameen. It follows a young couple whose relationship creates divisions within their community. The film released in cinemas on 12 June 2025.
Who is Kasthuri Raja?
Kasthuri Raja is a Tamil filmmaker, lyricist, and actor best known for collaborating with director Visu on more than 16 films. He is also the father of actor Dhanush.
Who else is in the cast and crew of 'Habebe'?
The film stars Esha M, Kasthuri Raja, and Malavika Manoj. Music is by Sam C. S., cinematography by Mahesh Muthuswami, and editing by Mathi VS.
What is Dhanush's next project?
Dhanush will star in 'Om', directed by Rajkumar Periasamy, alongside Malayalam superstar Mammootty. It is one of the most anticipated Tamil-Malayalam collaborations currently in the pipeline.
